At a Glance

Three to four weeks each year, migrating elephant seals, birds, whales and butterflies converge on California’s scenic Central Coast during their annual pilgrimage. Breathtaking field trips and engaging lectures introduce you to these hardy voyagers, preparing you to observe gray whales, visit bird-viewing sites and study the Morro Bay Estuary at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to two miles over uneven terrain.

Best of all, you'll ...

Become entranced by the gargles, grunts, squeals and trumpeting of the Elephant Seals as you observe them with our mammals expert.

View thousands of monarchs at the “Butterfly Trees” of Pismo Beach.

Board a ship to search for gray whales at sea and explore a vineyard for a taste of the coast’s fine wines.

General Notes

Whale watch and wildlife sightings subject to weather.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Chris Cameron

Chris is the Executive Director of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, California. A naturalist at heart, Chris is a regular workshop leader for the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE). As a consultant, Chris helped establish the California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network. This state-wide communication network provides teachers with resources needed to increase the environmental literacy of California students. He has a passion for mentoring staff and is dedicated to developing in students a love for inquiry and nature.

Chris Cameron

Bruce Brown

Suggested Reading List

View 13 books

The Monarch Butterfly: Biology and Conservation

by Michelle J. Solensky, Karen S.Oberhauser

National Audubon Society Field Guide to California

by Peter Alden, National Audubon Society Staff, National Audubon Society

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies (National Audubon Society Field Guide Series)

by National Audubon Society

National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World (National Audubon Society Field Guide Series)

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Evening: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes. We will also discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures including contact numbers for key staff, and answer any questions you may have. Unless noted otherwise, travel to/from field trips will be via bus. Scheduled free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please be aware that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Take the rest of this evening to settle in, relax and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, the adventures begin!

DAY

2

About The Migrations, Estuary Board Walk, Audubon Lecture

Cambria, CA

B,L,D

Cambria Pines Lodge

Activity note: Drive is approximately 45 miles throughout the day, up to 60 minutes on the bus. Walking up to 1/2 mile; boardwalk.

Breakfast: In our meeting room, the breakfast buffet offers a variety of choices each morning such as scrambled eggs, french toast or pancakes and assorted breakfast breads. Granola or oatmeal also available along with fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: We’ll be joined by an expert instructor for fun and informative presentations on Elephant Seals, sea otters, and the Monarch Butterfly migration, setting the stage for our field trips throughout the program.

Afternoon: We’ll board the bus and depart on a field trip to Morro Bay. Here, our instructor will discuss ecology and animals while we walk along the bay's estuary on a boardwalk- the best way to get close to the tidal flats and view the wildlife without being on the water itself. Next, we’ll take a short drive to Morro Rock to observe several types of bird life that nest here, as well as sea lions and sea otters that can often be seen in the surrounding waters.

Dinner: Lodge buffet.

Evening: We’ll be joined by a local bird expert for a class to further your knowledge and understanding of birds in this area in preparation for upcoming walks and field trips.

DAY

3

Audubon Hike, Monarch Butterfly Grove, Falconry Lecture

Cambria, CA

B,D

Cambria Pines Lodge

Activity note: Drive is approximately 90 miles throughout the day, up to 110 minutes on the bus. Walking up to 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours; beach, dirt path down to a pond.

Breakfast: Lodge buffet.

Morning: We’ll have two field trips this morning. First, we'll head out via bus to Morro Bay with an expert from the Audubon Society to view some of the several hundred species of birds that winter in this area. We'll then take our bus down the coast to Pismo Beach and a beloved attraction, the “Butterfly Trees.” The reason for the nickname will be clear as we see hundreds of Monarchs congregating in a Eucalyptus grove. A docent will explain the shingle effect created by these clusters as we view this delightful sight.

Lunch: In the classic town of Pismo Beach, this meal has been excluded from the program cost and you are free to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Afternoon: Returning to the lodge, enjoy free time this afternoon. Explore the extensive themed gardens at the lodge, or visit the town of Cambria. Public transportation and taxis to sites of interest are available.

Dinner: Lodge buffet.

Evening: A naturalist will join us to talk about the ancient art of falconry as it has been practiced around the world for 5,000 years. We’ll also learn about the present day status and importance of raptors and their migrations.

DAY

4

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, Elephant Seals, Monarch Video

Cambria, CA

B,L,D

Cambria Pines Lodge

Activity note: Drive is approximately 30 miles throughout the day, up to 45 minutes on the bus. Walking up to 1/2 mile on dirt trail at the lighthouse for 2 hours.

Breakfast: Lodge buffet.

Morning: We'll board the bus and depart on a field trip to Piedras Blancas Lightstation, located 30 minutes from the lodge in San Simeon. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 70 foot lighthouse is now part of a historic park and wildlife sanctuary where a variety of organizations conduct biological research. As we walk through the Outstanding Natural Area, a local expert will discuss the history of the lighthouse, the reintroduction of native plants, and the natural history of the area. Our next field trip is to the Elephant Seal sanctuary with our mammal expert. It can be a noisy place during breeding season-- males bellow threats, pups squawk to be fed, and females squabble with each other over prime location and pups. Gargles, grunts, whimpers, squeals, and trumpeting combine to create the Elephant Seal symphony of sound. From huge blubbery males with pendulous noses (up to 2 feet long), to winsome females with a permanent smile, to endearing plump babies (weaners) with big brown eyes, this will be an experience you will long remember.

Afternoon: Our expert returns to continue our sea mammal studies, this time focusing on the migration of gray whales, a round trip of 10,000 to 14,000 miles! The remainder of the afternoon is free for personal independent exploration.

Dinner: Lodge buffet.

Evening: In the meeting room at the lodge, view a one hour film on the migration of the Monarch Butterfly to help with your understanding of this magnificent flight.

DAY

5

Whale Watching, Wine Tasting, Farewell Dinner

Cambria, CA

B,L,D

Cambria Pines Lodge

Activity note: Drive is approximately 90 miles throughout the day, up to 120 minutes on the bus. Walking up to 1/2 mile on dirt trail at the lighthouse for 2 hours.Boarding 65-foot vessel requires walking up a sometimes steep plank with railing to board; staff available to assist. Whale watch dependent on weather; there will be an alternate activity in the event of unsafe sea conditions. Standing for long periods at vineyard, walking optional; uneven ground, approximately 3/4 mile round trip.

Breakfast: Lodge buffet.

Morning: Now it's time to try for a glimpse of migrating gray whales and other ocean inhabitants, such as the sea otters and dolphins we've learned so much about. After a short drive to Morro Bay, we'll board a chartered boat and head out to sea. After spending the morning on the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean, we’ll take our bus to a winery.

Lunch: At a winery in beautiful Edna Valley, enjoy your choice of a sandwich, dessert, and beverage.

Afternoon: We’ll explore the vineyards with the owner and winemaker to learn about natural habitat conservation and restoration. One such project focuses on salmon habitat restoration along the creeks on his property. His projects also provide habitat for native pond turtles, birds of prey, and allow for the restoration of native plants. We’ll top off our exploration with wine tasting. Returning to the lodge, the remainder of the afternoon is free.

Evening: Our wine instructor will join us to explain organic and sustainable wine growing practices. He will discuss his ecologically-based wine growing practices that include soil management, integrated pest management, water conservation and energy conservation through the use of cover crops, and organic soil amendments. Then prepare for departure following our closing session in the morning.

DAY

6

Wrap Up Session, Program Concludes

Cambria, CA

B

Activity note: Hotel check-out is by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Lodge buffet.

Morning: We’ll have a wrap-up session to review highlights of our experiences amid the beautiful, pristine Central Coast of California. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. We encourage you to join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals

13 Meals

5 Breakfasts

3 Lunches

5 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

Cambria Pines Lodge is located just off Highway One and is nestled among 25 acres of pines, set away from the crowds on California’s central coast. Enjoy the comforts of modern conveniences in a country setting. Accommodations, dining facilities and educational programs are located within a short walking distance of each other. Paths are flat and mostly paved. The hotel has a split-level floor plan with approximately 8 stairs to guestrooms. There are a limited number of rooms with ramp access. Please contact Road Scholar as soon as possible if you require such a room. Dinners will be buffet style. Some meal substitutions may be available for medical conditions indicated on the required Participant Information Form.

We would highly recommend this program. We hated to see it end. The presenters were exceptionally interesting and knowledgeable and made the learning fun. The chance to learn about the four migrations and then to see the animals in the process will stay with us for a long time.

My husband and I learned so much from the wonderful experts that led our walks and did the evening lectures. Our tour leader Susie took great care of us, and was wonderfully flexible in making seamless changes to our schedule to take advantage of all the breaks in the rainy weather. The tour was better than we expected, even when the weather did not cooperate. The only down side was the Sea Crest hotel, which had no indoor room for eating breakfast in bad weather, and a lecture/dinner room for us that was really a converted storage area. Cambria is better located for the day tours than Pismo Beach. But all the wildlife viewing went extremely well, including over 30 whale sightings on our 2 hour boat ride. We are anxious to try another program!

My favorite Road Scholar trip so far. The group was small (15) and we all seemed to bond so quickly and easily, it made the week fly by. Our leader, Shannon, was absolutely the best, and Bruce -- engaging, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, entertaining. I could go on and on. Elephant seals and whales were promised and boy did they deliver (especially the elephant seals!!). The butterflies were amazing and we had the bonus of Peepers and Coop (owl and hawk). Everything worked out perfectly. I would highly recommend this program.

This program was even better than I expected. Shannon and Bruce are fantastic. The participants were the nicest and most interesting people. This is what makes Road Scholar great. I will be recommending this trip to all my friends.

This was my first Road Scholar program and it exceeded all my expectations. Our group leader Shannon was outstanding. The speakers were all knowledgeable and engaging and learning about Falconry was an unexpected bonus. Thankfully our weather was perfect and all the animals cooperated beautifully!

Fabulous program! Incredibly lucky to have beautiful weather, after recent rains in CA. Great whale show and the elephant seals have to be seen to be believed. Shannon was the perfect group leader -- thanks for all the cookies!

I just returned (1/15/16) from the Four Migration trip. This part of California has so much nature to offer visitors. Every day was exciting, fun and busy. Bruce is one of the best lecturers I have heard and we were fortunate to have him 3 times and he went out on the field trips with us. The falconer brought his birds and his 12-year old student.
We had enough time on our own to go to beach boardwalks, or to Hearst Castle or just walk downtown.
This trip is perfect for anyone wanting to know more about nature. Terri